There Is No Kinda Gluten-Free

 

Kinda Gluten-Free Isn't Real

There is no such diagnosis or diet plan called, kinda gluten-free. People often ask me if gluten-free diets can exist half way or partially in some manner. I am not a doctor, but I do laugh at the idea of shedding the truth about gluten sometimes since I've been committed for over 17 years, so let me tell you that my answer is No. Always No. And 99.9% of doctors will say No. You cannot go partially on a gluten-free diet when you are A) Diagnosed Celiac B) Gluten Intolerance C) Non Celiac Gluten Sensitive D) Have shown improvements removing gluten. 

You may feel "better' with less gluten because you've removed some common gluten related foods such as pasta, breads and cookies. That diet plan should first hand make you think about what you really just did, regarding the removal of nutrition weak wheat pastas, wheat flour, high sugar and dairy is something to consider learning more about. But if you don't go all in gluten-free (as mentioned below) then you're not gluten-free, you're not gluten-free, and you're not gluten-free. You are on a diet that removed pastries, pasta and breads, leave it there and do not refer to it ever as going gluten-free. 

Gluten-Free Only Has One Definition

Gluten signifies a 100% removal of gluten (wheat, barley, rye, malts, etc) and that includes any contamination that likely exists at restaurants and packaged goods. To ensure a gluten-free diet one must obtain a massive food education (yes it can be overwhelming at first, but fun second) and discover food brands (small and large corporations) who obtain a trustworthy certified gluten-free verification for <20 ppm (per the FDA) but preferably look for brands with certification by CSA testing <10 ppm or <5ppm so that you have transparency behind gluten contamination risks. 

Rudi's Gluten-Free Kids Scholarship Contest 2014

When Is Rudi's Summer Camp Contest?

Starting immediately from February 18 – March 18, the wonderful gluten-free and non-GMO brand, Rudi’s, is offering their second gluten-free (1 week) summer camp scholarship contest.

How Do Kids Apply For Gluten-Free Camp?

Families are encouraged to log-on to Facebook and (1) Like the page Rudi's Happy camper Facebook in the top right corner. (2) Then you can submit a 100-word essay from their kids about, “what makes them special” for a chance to win a one-week scholarship to attend a gluten-free overnight camp. The concept of a gluten-free camp is fairly new and they offer a targeted healthy, exciting experience to those kids with stable Celiac Disease or gluten intolerance at Camp Weekaneatit in Georgia or Gluten-Free Fun Camp in Minnesota. 

Contest Winner (10) 

Based on the uniqueness and thoughtful essay, Rudi’s plans to choose 10 winners, ranging in ages from 8-17, to have a gluten-free camp outing that is unlike any other camp in this world! Winners will be announced on April 2, 2014

I Buy Rudi's Gluten-Free Because:

I trust them for quality and taste, I do. For the past 35 years, based out of Colorado, they have offered a variety of gluten-free and non-Gmo breads, hot dog rolls, hamburger rolls, tortillas, pizza crusts, too. When I lived out in Denver for various years, Rudi's was everywhere and certainly that "hometown hero" and loyalty will always be deep in my background. I hope they continue to innovate and offer more nutrient dense healthier and tastier innovative breads as the competition grows and the market for gluten-free continues. When I go out and the party requires me to partake via bringing gluten-free breads, I trust that most grocery frozen departments such as Wholefoods and/or large supermarket chains will have Rudi's.

Shopping Gluten-Free Smart In 2014

Health Stores, Supermarkets & Online Marketplaces

The growth of gluten-free market place was inevitable from a Celiac perspective because we knew from the inside that gluten was a health concern beyond an auto-immune disease. Since food is a main stay in our society, we can't live without it, adaptation and survival of the fittest shows Darwin-istic tendencies from business to consumer. Now the mass population, curious and naive as they are (wink) witness gluten-free aisles, labels and promotions in their local stores and in their email, advertising popups and e-commerce online marketplaces and that's evolution for sure. 

• QUESTION REMAINING: From growing business acquisitions that we read about in the press, can we find out why we still face average 30% higher prices for gluten-free foods?

Who Writes Articles on Gluten-Free Trends? (Inside vs Outside)

1. NY Times - A Big Bet on Gluten-Free, has been written by those on the outside of the gluten-free movement focusing on business and not the legitimate 360 degree educational mission for gluten-free change forward. It's nice to receive the attention, but it's not actually helpful to the masses and their lack of health knowledge affects the Celiac movement negatively with their lack of support for us and insights into evolving gluten related and non-GMO health concerns.
2. Celiac.com - Project Gluten-Free Market Growth Provides Incentive To Educate Yourself, was written by Tracy Grabowski  (gluten-free mom with three kids) from inside of the gluten-free movement supporting and promising health and educational reform. You'll see her pros/cons and holistic thinking and takeaways that enable us all to think about food in a new way for change.

• QUESTION REMAINING: When will our main stream leaders and big budget corporations listen, research and adapt the innovative research that so many of doctors, scientists have published to help and educate the masses on gluten as well as GMOs?

Shop With Curiosity Not Your Hunger

The wild card here is that articles written by the masses, who don't have Celiac or are not inside the true gluten-free movement, cannot shed trustworthy light on gluten-free food sources, labeling, health and provide accurate suggestions to those who shop for gluten-free because they believe deep down gluten is still healthy! It's as easy as interviewing a few people on the street and analyzing their diet, lifestyle and health. How many products have you seen that include "newer" ingredients such as quinoa, buckwheat, chia, amaranth, flax, teff highlighting their unique health properties (iron, fiber, protein, omegas, etc) and many more but their cost is higher than corn, wheat or rice based products with very little nutrient levels? Many believe wheat and other gluten grains are healthy, but don't know how unhealthy gluten is to the majority of humans and other animals since they don't research or believe that mass media and large corporations could feed us crap, well... wake up.

99% of food manufacturers don't care about health, just profits. When will this business mantra change? Eating cheap, pre-packaged foods is nowhere in the mission of any Celiac gluten-free consumer, that's just an uneducated, ignorant lifestyle. Just because Bisquick creates a gluten-free product doesn't mean we should buy it immediately; we should be investigating the source ingredients selected, taste profile and brand mission vs competitors. We need the masses who join the bandwagon and/or have legitimate gluten-free health concerns to shop smart, not cheap, and support those companies who combine health, price and earth... there are many!

Gluten contamination in food, beverages and in restaurants continue to be an alarming issue. How can we trust restaurants or brands that don't verify through a third party? Since labeling has evolved over the years it seems that without a certified gluten-free label we will simply cannot trust anyone or a label. That's why you should support those that go the extra mile to invest in their own products (which costs money) for these 3rd party label certifications such as gluten-free, non GMO, organic, vegan, etc and call companies direct asking why they don't have a certification. 

• QUESTION REMAINING: Can you share this article and others with a family or friend who previously didn't find the value of food education or perhaps is currently suffering from a confusing gluten related concern?